Re: backing myself into a corner

[Joe Sommer <anvilus9-at-adelphia.net>]

Paul,

At 11:23 AM 8/21/2004 +0100, you wrote:
>So do I make the individual panels removable ?  or the whole top ? bearing 
>in mind it is foremost a scale tank so I want fixing screws etc kept to a 
>minimum or better still hidden.

On Hetzer T010 the side panels, rear quarter panels and
rear fenders are permanently attached to the lower hull.
My main battery cutoff switch is externally mounted in
the center of the circular engine access port on the rear
hull plate.

The upper glacis is attached by four 4-40 socket head cap
screws during battle.  The front fenders are permanently
attached to the upper glacis.  The upper glacis is easily
removable for access to the gun and to replace the 9 ounce
CO2 bottle between battles.  Remember to use a seal at the
nose between the upper and lower glacis plates to prevent
paint ball goo from entering.

The rear engine panel is attached by two 10-32 socket head
cap screws during battle.  It is also easily removable for
access to the batteries between battles.

The top plate has a light press fit on the sides with a captive
bevel under the front glacis.  The rear of the top plate has
a very thin gap between it and the engine panel.  I do not
use any screws to hold it.  It has never shaken loose during
battle.  I simply slip the blade of my pocket knife into the rear
gap to remove the top panel for easy access to the radio
RX switch, the paint ball magazine and the CO2 valve.

>So what do I want to reach whilst 'on the field of battle '

external
main battery cutoff switch

internal
paint ball magazine
CO2 valve
radio RX switch

If you carry a 4 ounce CO2 bottle, you will need
to replace it during a one hour battle.

>  and what is ok to take 10 minutes disassembly to get to ?

I recommend TWO minute disassembly and TWO minute
reassembly for -
CO2 bottle
batteries
fuses
track tension
gun velocity adjustment

During the last battle I opened the Hetzer, removed the gun,
did a quick field strip/clean on the gun and was back in action
within about five minutes.

Hope this helps,
Joe


**********************************************
Joe Sommer
2378 Nantucket Circle, State College, PA 16803
814.234.4773     anvilus9-at-adelphia.net
http://www.anvilus.com